Sound-box



R. HEAD.

SOUND BOX. APPILICATION FILED AUG.9,1917. RENEWED OCT. 9. 1918.

1,334,094. V Patented Ma1nl6,1920.

TIE; 3

'31 woe to:

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT HEAD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNQR TO THE AEOLIAN COMPANY, A CORPO- RATION OF CONNECTICUT.

SOUND-BOX.

1.3a ose.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 9, 1917. Serial No. 185,316. Renewed October 9, 1918. 7 Serial No. 257,530.

To all zc/wm it may concern:

- Be it known that 1, ROBERT Hnao, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Sound-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sound-boxes for talking machines, and in particular to those of the socalled convertible or universal type, which may be used to play records of both the verticaland the lateral-cut forms.

Under-ordinary conditions, it is custonr ary to employ a'jewel-tipped stylus with records having verticalcut or hill-and-dale sound grooves, and a sharppointed stylus or needle of steel or other suitable non-crystalline material with records having lateralcut or zig-zag grooves. In certain known forms of soundboxes, two separate stylusholders are provided, one for each character of stylus, and in certain other forms, a shiftable holder is utilized which is selectively movable from one position to another, according to the type of record to be played; but in both cases at least two separate clamping screws or their equivalents are necessary, for in the first case each holder has its own clamping device, and in the second case a screw or other clamp is required to secure the holder in adjusted position.

According to the present invention, however, the arrangement is greatly simplified, and its cost of construction correspondingly decreased, by providing a novel and improved clamp for firmly and securely holding the movable holder in either of its two playing positions and also by providing a single clamp which serves both to retain the movable holder in adjusted position, and to maintain the stylus in place. Furthermore, the holder is formed with two separate stylus-sockets, one for use when one type of record is being played, andt-he other for use when playing a record of the other type; and both of these sockets are controlled by the aforesaid clamp, which will hold the stylus in position aswell in one socket as in the other.

Other features and advantages will present themselves as the description proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where- Figure l is a face view of a sound-box equipped with the invention, the holder being positioned to play a lateral-cut record.

Fig. 2 is an edge view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental View similar to Fig. 2, but showing the holder adjusted to play a vertical-cut record.

Fig. at is an enlarged, part-sectional detail view, showing the holder in Fig. ,1 position. i

Fig. 5 is a part-sectional view of the holder, showing the two stylus sockets, but with the clamp omitted.

Fig. 6 is a detail view, showing the holder in Fig. 4 position, but in side elevation instead of section.

Referring more particularly to said drawing, 1 designates the body of the sound-box, 2 the diaphragm thereof, 3 the stylus bar, and 4: the spaced supporting parts or lugs for the bearing-screws 5, between which latter the stylus bar is mounted to oscillate. All of the above parts function in the usual man-' ner, and, with'the exception of the stylus bar, are, or may be, of the usual or any desired construction.

The stylus bar, accordin to this invention, is made in two structurally-separate parts 3 and 3, the upper part or member 3 beingfastened at its upper end to the diaphragm in the usual way, while the lower part 3 functions as the stylus holder and is adjustable relatively to the said upper part.

The lower portion 6 of the member 3 is enlarged or headed, and is provided with, oppositely-projecting pins or trunnions 7, the latter being disposed between the lugs land engaged at their terminals by the screws 5, so that they unite in forming the pivotal axis about which the stylus bar as a whole rocks. The lower member 3 of the bar presents the most important features of the invention; and, according to the embodiment illustrated, which may be considered for all practicalv purposes as preferred, it consists ofa cruciform body, the upper arm 'of' which has .a substantially greater length than the other arms but is cutaway at 'its free end, thus producing a shouldefS and a seat 9, at the sidethereof. This seat receives the head 6, which isrounded, as shown, while the shoulder 8 fits against one face of said head andvis formed with an openingv for the passage of the adjacent trunnion body 3 therethrough, the trunnion serving as the axis about which the body 3 rocks during its movement from one position to the other.

The two branches of the cross-shaped are provided with inwardly-extendmg passages'or sockets and 10, which intersect each other at the center of said body, as represented in dotted lines at 10 in Fig. 5. One of these sockets is designed 10 to receive the stylus when the holder is in position for playing lateral-cut records; and in such case that particular socket, which is indicated .at 10 in Figs. at and 5, will substantially aline with the upper member of the stylus bar. The other socket 10 receives the stylus when a vertical-cut record" is being played, at which time the socket is arranged in spaced, parallel relation to the aforesaid upper member 3, instead of in 0 longitud nal or axial alinement therewith,

thepar ts being then in Fig. 3 position, and

the holder having been turned through an angle of 90. It will be apparent, there fore, that inasmuch as thetwo sockets 10 and 10 cross each other, a single clamping screw ll-may be employed to control both sockets-that is to say, to hold the needle or stylus in place ineither playing position ,of the holder-the inner end of the screw extending loosely through a hole in the "holder located at the 10 of the sockets an the stylus.

This screw stylus in pla point of intersection d impinging against 11 is not only used to retain :1 cc in one or the other of the sockets. 10 and 10', but it also serves. in the preferred construction shown, to secure the older itself in adjusted position; for it must be borne in mind that the holder has 40 an angular movement of 90 in changing from either position tothe other. Accordingly,there. provided a supplemental clamping member 12 preferably in the form of-a small plate, which is arranged against the front face of the holder, its upper portionbeing disposed against the opposite face of the head 6 from that with which the shoulder 8 contacts, and having an opening through which the front trunnion 7 loosely passes, so that in this way a balanced pivotal mounting is provided for the holder, and the plate itself is pivotally supported. The central portion of the plate is formed with an opening through which a small, headed 55 screw 13 is loosely inserted, the screw extending into a threaded opening in the elongated arm of the holder and serving to connect the plate and holder together. At itslower portion, the said plate is provided with a threaded opening; and through this threaded opening the clamping screw 11' is passed, so that when said clamping screw is turned in either direction, the plate will be caused to rock slightly'about the coupling screw '13as a fulcrum, with the result that its upper end is forced tightly against, or withdrawn from the adjacent face of the head 6, according as the clamping screw is turned in a direction to advance or to re-- tract it through the openingin the holder, -thus alternatively locking or releasing the holder as will be understooc. Consequently, a stylus maybe inserted in the proper socket in the holder, and the latter then turned to Y the required position and made fast by means of the clamping screw, which, at the same time, also secures the stylus in its socket. w

I claim as my invention- 1. In a sound-box, the combinationfwith so a stylus bar having a relatively-movable] stylus-holding portion; of a single clamp for? retaining said portion in adjusted position and for securing a stylus in place therein. 2. In a sound-box, thecombination, with a jointed stylus bar comprising a socketed stylus-holding member movable into position to alternatively: play vertical-' and lateral-cut records; of a single fastening means for retaining said holder in either position and for securing a stylus in its socket. 3. In a sound-box, the combination, with, I ha jointed stylus bar comprising a socketed stylus-holding member movable into position 'to alternatively play verticaland lateral-cut records; of a single clamping screw :l(l]ll$t;21l)l8 to fasten said holder in either position and simultaneously secure a stylus in its socket. v p

4. In a sound-box, the combination, with a pair of spaced, supporting parts; of a stylus bar comprising an up er member piv-. oted between said parts, an a lower stylusholding member member for movement relatively to the same into position to alternatively play verticaland. lateral-cutrecords; and a single clamping device for fastening said stylus-holding member in either of its two positions and 110.

for simultan therein.

5. In a sound-box, the combination, with a pair of spaced, supporting parts; of a stylus bar comprising an upper member pivoted between said parts, and a lower stylus-holding member pivoted tq said u'+ per member for movement relatively to t e same into position to'alternatively p ay verticaland lateralcut records; a plate for retaining said stylus-holding member in either of its two positions; and a clamping screw for operating saidplatdandsimultaneously fastening a stylus 'in placejinsaid holding member f 6. Ina sound-box, the combination, with a pair of spaced. supporting parts; of a V stylus bar com rising an upper me1 nber having a pair 0 oppositely-pro ecting truneously securing a' stylus-in place nlons disposed between and pivotally sup-. 13"

pivoted to said upper 105 -holding sockets, one

ported by said spaced parts, and a lower stylus-holding member pivotally mounted and for simultaneously securing a stylus in place in said holder.

T. In a sound-box, the combination, with a pair, of spaced, supporting parts; of a' stylus bar comprising an upper member having a pair of oppositely-projecting trunnions disposed between and pivotallysupported by said spaced parts, and a lower stylus-holder member pivotally mounted on one of said trunnions sition to alternatively play verticaland lateral-cut records; a plate suspended at its upper end from the other trunnion and fulcrumed intermediate its ends on said stylus holder, the lower end of said plate having a threaded opening which overlies an aperture in the socket holder; and a clamping screw having its stem engaged with the threads ot, said opening and passing loosely through said aperture, thereby to rock said plate about its fulcrum into binding engagement with the trunnioned member and to simultaneously impinge against a stylus in said holder.

8. In a sound-box, a stylus bar comprising an upper member, and a lower member movably related thereto and having two stylusholding sockets, one for playing vertical-cut records and the other for lateral-cut records, said holder being shiftable to bring either socket into active position; and a single clamp for controlling the retention of a stylus in either socket.

9. In a. sound-box, a stylus bar comprising an upper member, and a lower member movably related thereto for playing verticalcut records and the other for lateral-cut records, said holder being shii'table to bring either-socket into active position; and a single device for clamping said holdcrin either position and for retaining a stylus in the active socket.

10. In a soundbOX, a stylus bar comprising an upper member, and a lower member movably related thereto and having two stylus-holding sockets, one for playing ver tic-al-cut records and the other for lateralcut records, said holder being shiftable to bring either socket into active position; and a single clamping screw for retaining said holder in either position and for engaging a stylus in the active socket.

11. in a sound-box, a stylus bar having a cruciform stylus holder, the branches of for movement into po-' and having two styliiswhich are formed with two intersecting sockets, one for playing vertical-cut records and the other for lateral-cut records, said holder having an opening at the point of intersection of said sockets and being movable relatively to the stylus bar to bring either socket into playing position; and aclamping memher having a portion thereof said opening, so as to engage a stylus. in either socket.

12. In a sound-box, a stylus bar having a cruciform stylus holder, each branch of which is formed with a socket, one socket -for playing vertical-cut records and the other for lateral-cut records, said holder being adjustable relatively to thebar to bring either socket into playing position; and a single clamping device common to both sockets for retaining a stylus in the active socket and for simultaneously. retaining the holder in adjusted position.

13. In a sound-box, the combination of a stylus-bar having a stylus-socket, a clamping-plate supported on the stylus-bar, and a screw which operates said clamping-plate at the same time that it secures the stylus in the stylus-bar socket.

H. In a sound box, the combination with a stylus barha'ving a diaphragm engaging portion and a. relatively movable stylusholding portion, of a clamping member fulcrumcd at an intermediate point in its length on one of said portions of said stylus bar and having a clamping end thereon arranged to engage the other portion of said bar, and means cooperative with the other end of the clamping member and the portion of the bar on which the clamping member is fulcrumedto exert a clamping engagement between the clamping end of said member and said other portion of said bar which it engages.

15. In a sound box, the combination with a stylus bar having a relatively movable stydus-holdiug portion adapted to occupy different playing positions, of a clamping member i'ulcrumed at a point intermediate its length on the n'iovahlc portion of said bar,- one end of said member being adapted to engage and clamp the other portion of the bar, and a screw cooperative with the opposite end of said member to eXert a clamping pressure between the first mentioned end of said member and the part of the stylus bar which it engages. I

16. in a sound box, the combination with a stylus bar having a relatively movable stylus-holding portion, of a clamping memher, a screw operative as an adjustable fulcrum to connect an intermediate portion 0 era ive with the opposite endofsaid men:-

an operating screw cooparranged in.

f said member to the movable portion of the fi rst men her and her to exert'a elalnl'iingmction between the gamed end of the clamping inemt e'p'ortion ,Ofhfhe stylus hair which, 16 engges. A

17. In a SOLiIld bex,'thefcbmbination of a stylus bar poinprising a main portion and a stylus-holding portion pivotally connected therewith,'said stylus-holding portion itself r consisting of a pivqt'al connection straddle andjere adzipted -,to elan lp the main portion of the stylus bar pmr of parts which at said between them, one of said pair of parts bestylus-holding Q v ing adapted behold the s-tylns and the other belng a clamping member fulcrumed at an v intermediate point in its length on the 1 part with one of its ends int e aforesaid ,elamping' relationship; vand means coiipeg ntive With its other end for forcing it away from said stylus-holding part. I I ifb .In testin lqhy whereof I'hav'e hereunto set 5 my hand. I '3 ROBER'IQJHVEAD. 

